A steam comeback?

[Anonymous]

Steam never went away, it just got less attention. China, India and several otehr contries still use good old Steam as a motive fleet.

The New and Improved Steam the germans are using allows for one man crews, less maintenence than before and increased operational abilities. In other words, they are almost on par with diesels, in all senses.

Give the germans 10 years and they'll refine it to the point that steam will again outclass diesels.

[dknelson]

When was the very last full size steam locomotive built in America? I know the N&W built its last 0-8-0 in 1952 or 53, but the two 4-4-0s built for the 1969 golden spike centennial were the last ones I know of. Of course there are large amusement park locomotives that have been built more recently but I am talking full size. Maybe one or another of our own cog railroads?
Dave Nelson

[Modelcar]

....Of course the ACE3000 steam experiment...with 614....Go to Google and type in the ID and bring up a great drawing of the talked about "new" steam engine.

[FThunder11]

I dont read German too well, so i have no idea what the site is talking about, but i do like the pictures[;)]

[eolafan]

Does anybody here recall the ACE3000 experiment in the 1970s?

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Paul Milenkovic is right, the maintenance expense is the killer. For example, French steam locomotives were very efficient in their use of steam but they spent a lot of time in the shop being maintained. When labor is cheap, the expense may be tolerable, but that isn't the case today. Even North American steam, which spent a lot more time on the road creating gross ton-miles, required a lot more in running maintenance than a diesel-electric and few roads streamlined their maintenance operation to the extent of Norfolk & Western in the postwar period.

[Hugh Jampton]

They also do conversion kits for coal fired locos

[Anonymous]

DLM is not a German but a Swiss firm and the Swiss cog and rack railway with "new" steam locomotives is the famous Brienz-Rothorn-Bahn (http://www.brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch/e.html)!

Greetings from Switzerland!

[Paul Milenkovic]

I had gotten to that site through the Ultimate Steam Page. I gather they are fueled by "light oil" (i.e. #2 Diesel) rather than the Bunker C of the old oil burners, and the main application is tourist railroads, everything from those cog lines to a revival of the Orient Express. I heard they pay attention to thermal efficiency -- modern exhaust systems, boiler thermal insulation, lagging on the cylinders to keep the steam in them hot, but burning Diesel fuel a proper Diesel is going to come out ahead -- the main reason is the "entertainment value." A wider community than foamer railfans expects steam power on these lines.

I guess there was a time when everything from locomotives to earth-moving equipment was steam powered, and my momma always told me if I didn't clean up my room she would have to take a "steam shovel" to it (when I tell that joke I modernize it and say "front-end loader.")

But when the QE-II gets converted from a steam turbine powerplant to Diesel, I guess it is a distant dream for steam to come to the rails. And you homeowners and people who serve on church councils: would you rather deal with steam/hot water heat or a hot air system?

I still think the biggest drawback to steam is not the thermal efficiency issue but the maintenance -- think boiler maintenance, boiler inspections, rod and running gear maintenance.

[Anonymous]

I know this is going to sound crazy and perhaps ruffle some feathers to even suggest this on a railfan forum, but I just had to mention it and here's why. It has come to my attention that a German firm called DLM (damplocomotive und maschienenfabrik) I think that's the correct spelling is manufacturing brand, spanking new steam locomotives! They're being sold to little Swiss cog and rack railways which haul a lot of tourists, but the website www.dlm-ag.ch has some good data comparing the matinence and operating costs of their new or retrofitted steam locomotives to old steam and diesel-electric and "new" steam comes out the cheapest (well according to the company anyways). I suppose if it works for such little operations in Switzerland, then why wouldn't it work for Union Pacific or a real railroad company? They're also making new reciprocating steam marine engines which I thought was kewl, but before anyone tars and feathers me, just check out the website for yourself and then share your thoughts.